The Medieval Guide to Healthy Living

Katherine Harvey's book explores medieval approaches to healthy living, arguing that people in the Middle Ages had detailed, practical regimens for prevention and wellbeing.

Drawing on medical texts and everyday sources, she examines the six 'non-naturals'—air, food and drink, movement and rest, sleep, excretion, and emotions—and how these shaped routines for individuals across classes.

The book highlights surprising continuities with modern wellness concerns, including attention to diet, exercise, mental health, and environmental cleanliness.

Harvey also shows how religious ideas interacted with medical thought to encourage bodily care, and how knowledge circulated beyond elites to ordinary practitioners.

The work reframes common misconceptions about medieval medicine by emphasizing prevention, quality of life, and tailored health advice.